Anyone running rock rails? (not sliders)

[PCMSF]

I see lots of threads about sliders but haven't found any about plain old rock rails. I'm considering rock rails just to protect the rocker panel in the off-chance I came down hard on it.

Curious if anyone's running rock rails and if so, what your experience has been!

Rocky Road offers a set, and RCI said they could custom-manufacture them at a discount by basically leaving off all the tubing they add to make them bump-out sliders. Seems like rock rails would be lighter and much cheaper, although obviously they wouldn't provide as much protection.

Here's what the Rocky Road ones look like, super clean!

I had been eyeing Shrockworks and RCI sliders. But I don't love the look of sliders and how you have to kind of step over them to get in the vehicle. I also don't need a step.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Is there a difference between sliders and rock rails besides semantics? I was always under the impression that sliders and rock rails were the same thing, most people confuse "running boards" with "sliders."

Most sliders do stick out a bit, but they can sometimes be ordered to tuck closer to the body. Though honestly I would rather they stick out a bit because when they are that tucked up against the body they won't protect as well from a lateral slide off an object.

 

[JSparky]

I imagine most sliders can be ordered without side rails. You know best how you will use your truck, I know a lot of business guys don't like sliders cause they can dirty their suit pant legs getting in and out.. totally legit complaint in my book. That said do make sure you understand why sliders stick out how they do.

If all you want is underside protection for the rocker I'd look at any of the common names here, shrockworks, budbuilt, etc. Rockyroad has a shammy reputation in the Jeep community, I'd steer away from them if it was me.

 

[Jetboy]

The way the body curves along the rocker panels, rock rails just along the pinch weld would be pretty pointless. The rocks that would damage your doors won't hit the rock rails much of the time. Also - you live in a city. Wider coverage means no door dings!

 

[PCMSF]

Is there a difference between sliders and rock rails besides semantics?

I always assumed "rock rails" were more minimal and tucked in underneath and that "sliders" have side rails that project out to offer more protection. Dunno, though.

I know a lot of business guys don't like sliders cause they can dirty their suit pant legs getting in and out.. totally legit complaint in my book. That said do make sure you understand why sliders stick out how they do.

I don't really push it in my 4Runner, mostly "high clearance" roads with some rough spots. So more worried about dropping vertically onto something rather than catching a rock from the side and needing kickout protection when turning or otherwise.

Dirty pant leg is definitely a part of it since it's a shared DD — have to admit it's kind of annoying to get into my friend's LC with sliders.

The rocks that would damage your doors won't hit the rock rails much of the time. Also - you live in a city. Wider coverage means no door dings!

Ha, true!

Both RCI and Rocky Road advised going the slider route and skipping rails, but thought I'd ask here first. Definitely prefer the look of the rails but that's not a good enough reason if they won't get the job done!

 

[PCMSF]

Welp, learned a lesson yesterday by hugging a turn too tight to avoid clipping the left front. Somehow only got the plastic flare and spared the door.

Now reconsidering bump-out sliders

 

[DesertCanyons]

Domello Rock Sliders

I opted for the Domello Rock Sliders. They're minimalist by comparison to some of those with the bump out but they are stout and do the job. Before I got the T4R and added rails, I dinged the rocker panels on my Jeep GC going up a rocky trail and didn't even know I'd hit. Those are expensive repairs.

To avoid the pant legs sliding over the rails step out onto the rails and then down. Hang onto the front edge of the door to get leverage out the door. I step in about the same way, grabbing the full length roof rack I have for a hand hold.

 

[wfo9]

Welp, learned a lesson yesterday by hugging a turn too tight to avoid clipping the left front. Somehow only got the plastic flare and spared the door.

Now reconsidering bump-out sliders

Some people have to learn the hard way....

Yes, you want bump outs on a 4runner. It's not a JK....

 

[UnJeep]

Some people have to learn the hard way....

Yes, you want bump outs on a 4runner. It's not a JK....

These will keep you away from stuff!

 

[PCMSF]

RCI sliders with bump-out on the way.

Gonna leave the rash as a reminder. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[kott3670]

Considering some sort of rails for my new 4Runner.... Not sure if I would ever actually use them though... I'm not planning on rock crawling my truck, that being said I do go off road.... If I'm careful with my driving and don't plan on driving over stuff that's going to smash in the side of the truck, is it really worth the cost? I do love the looks but the price just seems to be hard to justify...

Anyone else not think it's worth it and only do moderate off roading and find that you really needed them?

 

[mrblah]

Even in the city, for me, sliders are a better purchase than side steps mainly because of:

1. you can use them as a jack point.

2. In snowy, or ice, or mud conditions, or any condition where you might end up in a slow speed slide (inclines, parking lots, etc), will save your quarter panel from a pole or tree. I had first hand experience, and it wasn't my fault, sometimes mother nature wins no matter will pick you to have a bad day.


IMHO, I think sliders that act only as rock guards that do not protect the body is a bit of a waste, both on road and offroad due to the lack of body protection when you slide. If you are going to pay for rock sliders, might as well get the added body protection. YMMV.

As for dirty pant legs, you get use to being extra careful.

rock sliders, and tires that stick out just pass the fender line, do a lot to minimize damage due to other people's carelessness in and around the city. So they do serve a purpose both in the city, and off the beaten path.

 

[Mikeith]

I'm thinking about having rci or someone similar do them with just shorter "extensions" if that makes sense. Basically just a couple inches tighter to the main rail.

 

[Discovery]

Even in the city, for me, sliders are a better purchase than side steps mainly because of:

1. you can use them as a jack point.

2. In snowy, or ice, or mud conditions, or any condition where you might end up in a slow speed slide (inclines, parking lots, etc), will save your quarter panel from a pole or tree. I had first hand experience, and it wasn't my fault, sometimes mother nature wins no matter will pick you to have a bad day.


IMHO, I think sliders that act only as rock guards that do not protect the body is a bit of a waste, both on road and offroad due to the lack of body protection when you slide. If you are going to pay for rock sliders, might as well get the added body protection. YMMV.

As for dirty pant legs, you get use to being extra careful.

rock sliders, and tires that stick out just pass the fender line, do a lot to minimize damage due to other people's carelessness in and around the city. So they do serve a purpose both in the city, and off the beaten path.

Do you have any model in mind who protude enough to be able to protect the body from a pole?

 

[blacktrail]

The c4 fab look like the stick out quite a bit


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[mrblah]

Do you have any model in mind who protude enough to be able to protect the body from a pole?

anything with a bumpout will protect your rear quarter panel, and most sliders will go past the body.

I ended up with white knuckle offroading sliders.

 

[bloodninja]

Do you have any model in mind who protude enough to be able to protect the body from a pole?

Budbuilt Beefy Bump Out. Saved my truck from a wayward Honda Accord. Ripped his front bumper cover off completely and shattered his front end. Just light scratches on my slider, which I touched up with VHT Epoxy in matte black.
If they saved my truck from a car, they should save it from a low speed impact with something less malleable.

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[PCMSF]

Installed the RCI sliders and couldn't be happier. Excellent build quality and received them really quickly.

 

[Greels]

I know I'm reviving a pretty old thread here, but it's the only one I can find that's exactly on topic.

I am also looking for rock rails (sliders? same thing?) that do not stick out and only protect underneath. I do not envision myself doing anything that would require side protection but many of the trails in Colorado are quite rocky and ground clearance can be an issue.

The only ones I can find are the Rocky Road ones, but I have read many mixed reviews on them. So ultimately, my questions are: does anyone know of another brand that does a slider similar to the Rocky Road ones? Does anyone have the Rocky Road ones installed and have some feedback?